Important Facts of the News
- About 1.7 billion people live in areas where crop yields are falling due to human-driven land degradation.
- The figures appear in The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2025 report released by FAO.
- Land degradation leads to a 10 percent or more decline in agricultural productivity in affected regions.
- Among those affected, 47 million children under 5 years are experiencing stunting.
- Asian countries are among the most affected due to high population density and accumulated land degradation.
- Reversing 10 percent of human-induced degradation on current croplands could feed 154 million more people each year.
- Major human causes include deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable cropping and irrigation practices.
- FAO uses a debt-based approach analyzing soil organic carbon, soil erosion and soil water levels.
- More than 130 countries have committed to Land Degradation Neutrality under UNCCD.
- FAO supports sustainable land management with data, policy guidance and field-level initiatives.
Overview
A new global assessment published in The State of Food and Agriculture 2025 report draws attention to a widespread decline in agricultural productivity linked to human-induced land degradation. According to the report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, nearly 1.7 billion people currently live in regions where crop yields are falling, placing pressure on rural livelihoods, food systems and ecological stability.
How Land Degradation Occurs
The report explains land degradation as a gradual reduction in the land’s ability to perform fundamental ecosystem functions. While natural processes such as soil erosion and salinization play a role, the report highlights that human activities have become the dominant drivers. Factors such as clearing forests for agriculture, excessive grazing and farming methods that exhaust soil nutrients are among the primary contributors. With agriculture heavily dependent on healthy soil conditions, this decline directly affects food production.
Measuring the Decline
To assess the extent of the problem, the report applies a debt-based model comparing the current state of soil organic carbon, soil erosion levels and water content with estimated conditions before extensive human modification. This approach makes it possible to estimate how much productivity has been lost over time. The findings show that many regions are experiencing yield reductions of 10 percent or more, with significant social consequences.
Human Impact and Food Security
The consequences of this decline are not only environmental but also deeply human. The report notes that among the affected populations are 47 million young children living in conditions linked to stunting. Asia faces the greatest burden because of its large populations residing in areas of degraded farmland. However, the report outlines that progress is possible. If even a fraction of degraded land is restored through practices like crop rotation, maintaining ground cover and increasing organic soil content, enough food could be produced to nourish an additional 154 million people every year.
Policy Directions and FAO’s Role
The report emphasizes that addressing land degradation requires integrated and well-supported policies. These may include regulatory actions such as restricting deforestation, financial incentives that encourage sustainable farming, and compliance mechanisms linking farm support with environmental outcomes. It also notes that strategies must consider differences in farm size and resources, with small farmers often requiring targeted support.
More than 130 countries have already pledged to pursue Land Degradation Neutrality under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. FAO continues to advance this effort through data systems such as the Global Agro-Ecological Zoning platform and the Global Soil Organic Carbon Map, alongside policy assistance and field-based programmes.
Conclusion
The SOFA 2025 report points to both the risks and opportunities ahead. With coordinated policies and sustained investment, reversing land degradation could strengthen global food security while supporting healthier ecosystems and resilient rural communities.